Poetry
four from field recordings of mind in morning
it matters to
some one
& that is
enough
what is the
present
things appear
in relation
the young dog runs the hills & far across the pasture
a neighbor & his boy arrive at dusk to shoot deer & coyote
somewhat far away a poet-friend’s heart is racing
an aunt & her nephews fight over who deserves her mother’s money
this is the way that twisted karma always plays out
gray day little sunlight but the clouds do not disappoint
what is the present
things appear
in relation
“Or, when you want to keep spring or autumn as it is,
reflect that it has no unchanging nature.” <877>
12/23/18
within the surrounding
silence it is
there
as if an
immigrant
to the word
as if it were
never
something you
knew
sun shines & over time
you have become
this thing
at once
transparent &
exactly present
“Listen until you understand.” <880>
1/17/19
the bread above all
the bread
home found in
nouns
head heart hand
the breath &
its imaginings
of rain clouds
of spoken so
set of sounds
miraculous complex
dexterity of the human
tongue insistent
upon difference by
place the joy
of saying so
“Love of enjoyment is a gate of realizing dharma;
it keeps the heart pure.” <898>
3/13/19
Paris
today i awaken & my heart is full
before the city awakens before the light embraces the heavy buildings
today i awaken & my heart is full
with the pain of the thousands of names on the shoah memorial walls
today i awaken & my heart is full
for a quiet time a rest in time this sabbath time
today i awaken & my heart is full
in the quiet upstairs of the boulangerie where i can write & savor a good piece of bread
today i awaken & my heart is full
for the young musicians playing their tribute to Coltrane in a sacred cave
today i awaken & my heart is full
with love & admiration for my friend in his apartment packed with books
today i awaken & my heart is full
“Now sit steadfastly & think not-thinking.” <908>
3/6/19
Paris
5:58 AM